US, Costa Rica win in WCup qualifying

The United States and Costa Rica both notched important wins on Friday to move joint top of CONCACAF qualifying for next year's World Cup, while Mexico's hopes were dented by a 0-0 draw at Panama.

Andres Leighton

United States' bench players and Graham Zusi (19) pile up on top of teammate Brad Evans, obscured, to congratulate his for scoring the winning goal in the second half of the 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Jamaica in Kingston, Jamaica, Friday, June 7, 2013. The US won 2-1. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

United States' bench players and Graham Zusi (19) pile up on top of teammate Brad Evans, obscured, to congratulate his for scoring the winning goal in the second half of the 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Jamaica in Kingston, Jamaica, Friday, June 7, 2013. The US won 2-1. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

United States' Brad Evans covers his head with the shirt to celebrate after scoring the winning goal in the second half of the 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Jamaica in Kingston, Jamaica, Friday, June 7, 2013. The US won 2-1. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

United States' Brad Evans covers his head with his shirt as he celebrates scoring the winning goal in the second half of the 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match with Jamaica in Kingston, Jamaica, Friday, June 7, 2013. The US won 2-1. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

FILE- United States' Jozy Altidore celebrates after scoring in the first half of the 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Jamaica in Kingston, Jamaica, in this Friday, June 7, 2013 file photo. Altidore is returning to the English Premier League after completing his transfer to Sunderland from AZ Alkmaar on Tuesday July 9 2013.(AP Photo/Andres Leighton, file)

United States' Jozy Altidore, right, celebrates with teammate Graham Zusi after scoring in the first half of the 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Jamaica in Kingston, Jamaica, Friday, June 7, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

A Jamaica soccer fan waves his national flag before the start of a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match between Jamaica and the United States in Kingston, Jamaica, Friday, June 7, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Brad Evans scored in the second minute of second-half stoppage time, giving the U.S. a thrilling 2-1 win over Jamaica at Kingston.

Jozy Altidore put the Americans ahead in the 30th minute, but Jermaine Beckford seemed to have secured a draw when he headed in a free kick in the 89th.

However the visiting Americans still had to time to snatch a winner. After working the ball into the box from a corner, Evans took the ball amid a cluster of Jamaica defenders, spun and beat goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts from about 10 yards.

"They're dire moments." Evans said. "There's still work to be done. But three points, on the road, in a place we haven't won, is pretty special."

The win moved the U.S. to seven points from four games, the same record as Costa Rica, while Mexico also has seven points but has played one more game.

The top three qualify automatically for Brazil 2014 while the fourth-placed nation — currently Panama after the 0-0 home draw against Mexico — enters a further intercontinental playoff.